Are YOU ready to return to work?

So, I wrote an article a month or two ago about how businesses, owners and managers need to look after the health of their employees and what the potential mental health cost is of Covid-19 and Lockdown - and the facts laid out then are still as relevant today as they were at time of writing! (Do you know the mental health cost of covid-19 on your staff?).

However, I think it is also important that we (as employees and people) also understand that this is an unknown situation for 'us' and therefore I thought it maybe helpful to understand what we can do for ourselves to make this transition smoother.

The concern from experts is the stress that people are experiencing now, could upgrade to full-blown anxiety if 'un-checked' when starting to venture outside and on returning to work. People can be just as afraid (if not more) of being in public shared spaces and being out and about as they were when they were stuck indoors all the time or missing out on work opportunities or money.

Humans (by nature) adapt and change and have always done so throughout the annals of time, and therefore we can confidently say that 'as a species' we will cope and we will find a way to move forward - but, who doesn't want a way to make it a little easier on themselves if they can?

Here are just 3 simple things everyone can do as they plan (and start) to return - yes, there will be other things you can do and yes, it will vary as we are all very different people. But, I would be extremely surprised if following the below doesn't benefit most of us in the coming weeks and months in some way:

1. Create a personalised 'what works for you' daily routine

Routines play a vital part in all of our days and especially when at work. It is therefore very important that after a period of time where you may have had no routine and possibly been furloughed, working from home, or home schooling kids, etc.. that you get your body and mind back into a structured approach for the day. This should probably start with defined times for you and your activities - including such things as alarm calls, your morning routine, getting to work, answering emails, lunchtimes, catching up and networking with team mates, leaving the office, speaking to loved ones, etc. A structure and plan will help your mind (and body) get used to being back at work, but do me a favour here and make this routine 'for you' - it has to fit what you are doing, what is going on in your life and what you are comfortable with!

2. Get yourself motivated

It may or not have been easy to have been motivated over the past few months, but if you are (or planning on) returning to work then you need to get that 'spark' and 'confidence' back. You can do this in any number of ways, including by speaking to colleagues, reading upto date industry content and getting back into a routine will all definitely help. Exercise is also vital for not only the body but also for the mind - and if you combine this with healthy eating and finding ways to relax then you will definitely start to feel ready to 'go again'!

3. Communicate

Everyone of us will have had a different experience of lockdown possibly including home schooling, different working situations, anxiety, loneliness, depression, money worries, family issues, loved ones that we may have lost and many other things. So, it is probably true to say that no-one will understand your exact situation - but remember 'everyone' will understand that we have all had difficulties and challenges of one sort or another! You won't be alone in any worries or concerns and therefore talking to colleagues, customers, suppliers, bosses, friends and families is all good and should be encouraged. Talking is possibly the most important thing we can do during this process ....... and just as it will most undoubtedly help you, it will just as likely help the person that you are communicating with as well!

You can use this time talking as a method of recovery and of gaining confidence, but through this act you will also be building relationships with people which could last a longtime. So, therefore if you do one thing after reading this then I ask it is to reach out and talk. It can be to me, your mum, your manager, your colleagues or whomever...... please just talk!

Anyway, I hope this had been useful and I wish you the best in this next stage of Covid-19 both personally and professionally. And let's hope we are getting to the back end of this situation. As always please stay safe and if I can help with anything at all, then please just shout..

Regards,

Julian

julianpatel@clivedenhouseconsulting.co.uk